R 231800Z JUL 25
MARADMIN 346/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2026 (FY26) USMC E8 REDESIGNATION APPLICATION
PILOT//
REF/A/MCO 1610.7B PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM (PES)//
POC/DAVID R. MURRAY/LTCOL/MMEA-2/-/TEL:703-784-9569/
EMAIL: DAVID.R.MURRAY1@USMC.MIL//
POC/MIGUEL CUESPINOSA/MAJ/MMEA-23/-/TEL:703-784-2209/
EMAIL:MIGUEL.CUESPINOSA@USMC.MIL//
POC/JAMES FOSTER/SGTMAJ/MMEA SGTMAJ/-/TEL:703-784-9899/
EMAIL:JAMES.FOSTER1@USMC.MIL//
POC/WILLIAM C. GRIFFIN/MAJ/MMPB-11/-/TEL:703-784-3440/
EMAIL:WILLIAM.C.GRIFFIN@USMC.MIL//
POC/DATHAN.T.MILLS/MSGT/MMPB-11/-/TEL:703-784-2765/
EMAIL:DATHAN.MILLS@USMC.MIL//
POC/LANE E. BEINDORF/CIV/MPP-20/-/TEL:703-784-9361/
EMAIL: LANE.E.BEINDORF@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. In alignment with continual refinement of Talent
Management, the Marine Corps aims to improve the process by which we
select highly qualified Marines to serve as First Sergeants. As
part of this initiative, Headquarters Marine Corps will conduct a
redesignation board pilot.
2. On 15 October 2025, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) USMC E8
Redesignation Board will convene to consider applications in
alignment with the guidelines below.
3. Eligibility
3.a. Must have been selected to Master Sergeant as a primary
selectee on either the FY24 or FY25 Active Duty Gunnery Sergeant to
Master Sergeant Promotion Selection Board (PSB). Non-select
Marines and Marines selected as alternates are not eligible; only
alternates activated prior to the submission deadline may apply for
the pilot program.
3.b. Master Sergeant date of rank must be no earlier than 1 April
2024 or must still be a Gunnery Sergeant.
3.c. Redesignation is open to any Military Occupational Specialty
(MOS). The redesignation allocations available per MOS may be
impacted by MOS health and number of applicants. MOS health will
be included within the selection criteria based on a recommendation
from Commandant of the Marine Corps Manpower Management
(MM). MOS health will serve as a discriminator, not as a
disqualifier.
3.d. Marines must be able to incur a minimum of 24 months of
additional obligated service upon acceptance of redesignation.
4. Submission
4.a. Submission deadline for consideration is 2359, Eastern
Standard Time (EST) on 15 September 2025. Applications received
by MMEA-2 after this date will be returned without action and
Marine will be excluded from consideration.
4.b. Complete packages must be electronically submitted via
email at MMEA-2@usmc.onmicrosoft.com. The request must be in
Naval letter format with a positive endorsement from the
first commanding general in the chain of command. The request
must contain the following information:
4.b.1. From: Rank, Name, EDIPI, MOS.
4.b.2. To: President, FY26 E8 USMC Redesignation Board.
4.b.3. Via: (1) O5 Commander (2) O6 Commander, and (3)
First Commanding General in the chain of command.
4.b.4. Subject: Consideration for Redesignation
4.b.5. First paragraph will be a concise statement of why the
application should receive favorable consideration.
No more than 100 words.
4.b.6. Subsequent paragraphs can be added to provide additional
information regarding any issues in the record that need
clarification or explanation.
4.b.7. Last paragraph must state “I understand that if selected
for redesignation I will not be eligible for promotion to
Sergeant Major until I have served 2 years time in grade as a
First Sergeant and that I may receive permanent change of station
orders requiring me to obligate additional service.”
4.b.8. Letter must contain either the Marine's electronic or hard
copy signature.
4.c. Letters of recommendation may be included as enclosures.
4.d. Applicant must submit a 500-word essay to the President of
Board explaining reason for redesignation, why he or she should be
considered for redesignation, and how this request is in the best
interest of the Marine Corps.
4.e. Marine must submit with package a Page 11 entry stating “I
have been counseled by my Commanding Officer this date that I
must incur an additional 24-month Obligated Service (OBS) upon
acceptance of redesignation to the rank of First Sergeant. Also,
I understand that if selected for redesignation
I will not be eligible for promotion to Sergeant Major until
I have served 2 years time in grade as a First Sergeant and
that I may receive permanent change of station orders requiring
me to obligate additional service.”
4.f. Only complete packages will be processed and approved for
consideration during the redesignation board.
4.g. The Reenlistment Extension Lateral Move (RELM) Request
(NAVMC 11537) will not be accepted in lieu of the Naval
letter format request.
4.h. For a sample format of the application go to: https://
www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Manpower-Management/
Enlisted-Assignments/Assignments-MMEA-2/#tab/sgtmaj1stsgt-monitor
5. Board Preparations
5.a. The record cutoff for all data elements is 2359 EST 10 October
2025.
5.b. Marines should ensure accuracy of data elements in the Marine
Corps Total Force System including but not limited to date of rank,
armed forces active-duty base date, pay entry base date,
professional military education, service school completion,
billet description, primary military occupational specialty,
training scores, and personal awards.
5.c. Marines should conduct a self-audit prior to the board
convening to confirm accuracy of Official Military Personnel File
and Master Brief Sheet.
5.d. Fitness Reports are due in accordance with reference (a).
Marines' preference for "F" or "M" on previous Fitness Reports
will not affect selection or board process and do not preclude
a Marine from requesting consideration.
6. Execution
6.a. MMEA-2 will be the board sponsor with support from MMPB-11.
6.b. The E8 Redesignation Board will convene during the first two
days of the First Sergeant to Sergeant Major PSB.
6.c. Marines selected for redesignation will be announced
in conjunction with PSB results via MARADMIN.
6.d. Selected Marines will retain their current time in grade.
6.e. Marines should consider any career or personal implications
prior to applying.
7. The information in this MARADMIN should receive widest
dissemination to eligible Marines.
8. This MARADMIN is not applicable to the Marine Corps
Reserve at this time. A Reserve pilot program is under consideration
for potential future implementation.
9. Release authorized by BGen Fridrik Fridriksson, Director,
Manpower Management Division.//